FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Carex rossii | Ross' Sedge 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fire top-kills Ross' sedge.


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Ross' sedge is resistant to fire.  It regenerates through rhizomes and
seed germination [2,43].  Recovery is rapid to moderate, taking 2 to 10
years to return to preburn frequency [43].

Ross' sedge increases after fires that heat the soil but do not
completely consume duff [5].  After the Sundance Fire of northern Idaho,
Ross' sedge was one of the most widely distributed plants [36].  Ross'
sedge occurred on burned and grass-seeded plots but was more prevalent
on unseeded burn plots [23].  Ross' sedge increased for 4 years
following the fire [43].  Season of fire does not appear to have a major
effect on plant recovery [23,43].

At some sites, Ross' sedge may be part of the prefire vegetation but may
exist as "residual seed in the ground awaiting fire to create the proper
germination conditions" [2].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Development of Ross' sedge cover is best at lower elevations (below
3,800 feet [1,150 m]) [43].

Vigor of first-year plants after early spring or summer burns may be
reduced by grazing [41].

Related categories for Species: Carex rossii | Ross' Sedge